Stefanos Tsitsipas faced a shocking defeat at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz in the third round of US Open 2021. The third seed was defeated by the 18-year-old prodigy in five sets at Flushing Meadows. Tsitsipas has not been in his best form since reaching the finals of French Open earlier this year, as he bowed out of Wimbledon and Tokyo Olympics in the opening few rounds.
Stefanos Tsitsipas had earlier defeated Andy Murray in a five-set thriller in the first round of US Open 2021. However, the instance that made the headlines was his strategy to take unnecessary and long breaks during ton going matches. Andy Murray was not too pleased with it, and hit out at the Greek, stating that he had lost all respect for him.
Now, Toni Nadal, ex-coach and uncle of Rafael Nadal was also unhappy with Stefanos Tsitsipas’ antics, and believes that stricter rules should be put in place.
Roger Federer or Rafael would have never done that: Toni Nadal
Toni Nadal stated that Stefanos Tsitsipas used the toilet break strategy as a shortcut to achieving victories. The Spaniard believes that neither of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal would have ever done that.
“I think that no follower of our sport can imagine Roger Federer or Rafael, I don’t see why not say it, looking for extra-sporting shortcuts to achieve victory,” wrote Toni Nadal.
Toni Nadal heaped praise on Tsitsipas, stating that he is a great player, but at the same time, said that he does not need toilet breaks to win matches.
“Tsitsipas is undoubtedly a brilliant player and as such we expect him to win without the need for any ruse that he can profit from. Obviously you don’t need them. A great champion, and he is on the way to achieve it, not only because of his victories but because of how he achieves them,” added the Spaniard.
